Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating having a bronze color. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a nickel or polymer basecoat layer, and a color and protective stack layer comprised of layers of carbon-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal or refractory metal alloy carbonitride. In another embodiment, the alternating layers of the color stack layer may comprise layers of carbon-rich refractory metal carbides or carbon-rich refractory metal alloy carbides alternating with layers of nitrogen-rich refractory metal nitrides or nitrogen-rich refractory metal alloy nitrides.